U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

A Dozen Years of Drug Treatment Courts: Uncovering Our Theoretical Foundation and the Construction of a Mainstream Paradigm

NCJ Number
198584
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 37 Issue: 12 & 13 Dated: October/November 2002 Pages: 1469-1488
Author(s)
Peggy Fulton Hora
Editor(s)
Stanley Einstein Ph.D.
Date Published
October 2002
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the adoption of therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) in drug treatment courts and the theory that legal rules and procedures have therapeutic effects.
Abstract
Drug treatment courts are now mainstream after 12 years of development in response to the revolving door of drug use and recidivism. Principles of TJ have been found to enhance the functioning of drug treatment courts. Problem solving has been formally supported by the Conference of Chief Justices, and new trial court procedures legitimize drug courts' procedures. Topics covered include a discussion of therapeutic jurisprudence; principles of drug treatment courts; the 10 key components of drug treatment courts; the coherent integration of science and law, tip no. 33; and institutionalization of drug treatment courts and therapeutic jurisprudence. In conclusion, it is emphasized that working therapeutically is an effective and production manner for the justice system to function, in contrast to the previous get-tough-on-crime mentality that prevailed and led to a prison explosion and incarceration of two million Americans in the past 30 years. A list of source references is provided.

Downloads

No download available

Availability